Frequently asked questions

Ablaze with a palette of spectacular reds (maple trees), yellows and oranges, fall is indisputably Québec’s most colourful season. At this time of year, Québec’s forests turn into veritable works of art. A must-see for any visitor!

The whale-watching period can vary depending on species and location, and even from year to year. Organized excursions in the St. Lawrence estuary and gulf take place from May to October. Blue whales are more prevalent between August and October, although they can be spotted in June. Humpback whales and other species of rorqual (baleen or finback whales) are quite common from June to October. Belugas are present in the estuary all year long, but are rarely seen in the gulf during the summer.

Contrary to popular belief, whales can be observed from the shore. In certain spots, the St. Lawrence is deep enough to allow belugas and various species of finback whales to swim within a dozen metres (40 feet) of land. The best-known sites for seeing whales from the shore are on the north shore  (Whale Route), at the mouth of the Saguenay fjord, at Cap-de-Bon-Désir (Bergeronnes) and Pointe-des-Monts (Baie-Trinité). Whales are also seen in the Gaspé peninsula at Cap Gaspé and on Île Bonaventure.

During their spring and fall migrations, tens of thousands of snow geese stop on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. They are mostly seen in Baie-du-Febvre (Centre-du-Québec), the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area (Québec City & Area) and Montmagny (Chaudières-Appalaches). Birdwatchers might be interested to know that snow geese are more numerous at Cap Tourmente in the fall, and at Baie-du-Febvre in the spring.

At over 30 km (19 mi.), downtown Montréal’s pedestrian network is the largest of its kind in the world. Underground corridors link boutiques, department stores, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, exhibition halls, hotels, offices and even apartment buildings. The underground city is served by metro and train. A map is available from the municipal transport authority, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

Yes. You can go on a guided tour of the Olympic Park which remains to this day a major architectural attraction. These days, the Olympic Stadium is host to numerous shows and fairs. While you're there, ride the funicular up the Stadium mast, the world's highest inclined tower (La Tour de Montréal), and enjoy the tremendous view of the city from the top. As for the Velodrome, right next to the Stadium, it’s been transformed into the Biodôme, home to stunning living reproductions of some of the most beautiful ecosystems in the Americas.

Absolutely! The Montréal Museums Pass lets you visit some 32 museums over a three-day period for $45, public transit included. The pass is available at all participating museums, at the centre Infotouriste de Montréal, the tourist information bureau in Old Montréal (174 rue Notre-Dame Est) and at certain Montréal hotels. In addition, with the end of May each year comes Montréal Museums Day, where you can visit 28 museums free of charge. A shuttle bus runs between participating institutions.

In Québec City, the Québec City museum card opens the door to 24 museums over three days for $40, including public transit (two days). The card is available at all participating museums and Office du tourisme de Québec information offices (835 avenue Wilfrid-Laurier and 3300 avenue des Hôtels).

To operate a snowmobile, you need a valid driver’s licence for a motorized vehicle in any category: even a moped licence is sufficient. The international driver’s licence is not compulsory in Québec; however, certain vehicle rental companies require it. The minimum age for operating a snowmobile is 14 years.

Québec is internationally famous for its hydroelectric production. Guided tours, often free, will give you a glimpse into the operations of these immense facilities. The most well known are the Robert-Bourassa (Baie-James), which has the largest underground powerhouse in the world, and the Manic-5 Generating Station (Manicouagan), which encompasses the world’s largest buttressed multiarch dam.

Spring is the best time to savour a traditional meal in a cabane à sucre or “sugar shack.” This is because the maple sap from which the syrup and other maple products are made is harvested at the first thaw—usually around March. Of course, some sugar shacks stay open to the public all year long; and maple products are readily available in supermarkets and at fine grocers.

The further away you are from large urban centres (whose lights decrease the impact of the phenomenon), the better you can appreciate the spectacular show put on by the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The regions where auroral displays are most common are generally to the north: Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Baie-James and Nunavik. It’s worth noting that the northern lights are at their most intense between August and March.

For all that First Nations communities have generally adopted the North American lifestyle, many still don traditional clothes for celebrations known as pow-wows. These festivals are an excellent opportunity to discover Aboriginal music, dance, food and art.

Most museums, parks, casinos and other attractions remain open during statutory holidays. But just to play it safe, you should always check the opening hours of the site you wish to visit, since not all of them are open seven days a week.